Rocker Feels Sorry

MAJORS BEAT

January 13, 2000

John Rocker admitted Wednesday that his comments about minorities and homosexuals in a magazine article made him sound like ``a complete jerk.'' In his first interview since the uproar, the Atlanta Braves' reliever, 25, spoke to ESPN at his home in Macon, Ga., and again apologized, repeating he is not a racist. Rocker pointed out that teammates Andruw Jones, Bruce Chen and Odalis Perez - all minorities from outside the United States - lived with his family in Macon while they were in the minors.

Oliver signs

The Texas Rangers agreed to a $19 million, three-year contract with left-hander Darren Oliver. He was 9-9 with a 4.26 ERA in 30 starts for St. Louis last season.

4-player trade

The Milwaukee Brewers traded right-hander Cal Eldred and infielder Jose Valentin to the Chicago White Sox for right-handers Jaime Navarro and John Snyder.